Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
18. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport service will reopen to issue emergency passports for newborn children; the timescale for the delivery of such passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11739/20]
View answerThe Passport Service has now started a phased return to full operation. This planning is in line with the wider Government plan to reopen in phases. The Passport Service resumed the processing of non-essential online applications in Phase 2 of the Government Roadmap and produced over 26,000 passports in the first two weeks of operation. The Passport Service has a great deal of experience in dealing with peaks in demand, and we believe that we are well-placed to ensure the online service will be meeting its usual turnaround times of approximately two weeks by the end of June.
In general, children are not issued with emergency passports as additional checks are required to ensure entitlement to an Irish Passport and that the consent of all guardians has been obtained. However, in the case of a genuine emergency and if the child is based overseas, the guardian should make contact with the local Irish Embassy or Consulate General for further advice.
